Skidmore College Top Questions

Probably one of the best parts of Skidmore is the faculty. They are incredibly brilliant and they care about their students. There are plenty of classes to choose from, and students truly receive the ultimate liberal arts education.

Professors do know my name and most classes that are not introductory level range from 15 to 30 students. My favorite class has been Sociological Perspectives (Intro to Sociology) because the teacher was amazing and the material was interesting. My least favorite class has either been Fiction, Intro to Literary Studies, or Religion and Culture. In all three classes the professors were either incompetent, boring, or jerks. Class participation really depends on the professor, the professor's teaching style, and whether the class is discussion-based or lecture-based. Some Skidmore students have intellectual conversations outside of class but it depends on the topic. I don't see many pre-med students talking about neurons and chemistry outside of class. It is more likely the students in the social sciences and in the humanities with majors like Political Science, Philosophy, and History that debate things. Students can be competitive but not at all cutthroat. I believe it is stupid to judge people on grades when everyone takes different professors and classes. The most unique class I have taken has to have been my Computer Imaging I class where there is no syllabus, no guidelines, and no final. The Political Science/Government department at Skidmore has the most professors (about nine full time professors) out of any social science or humanities department. The department has a much-deserved great reputation. The Political Science/Government major is also fairly easy to fulfill and has relatively few requirements though they are strict requirements that must be taken in the department. I only wish the department offered more research assistant jobs to students. I have spent time with professors outside of class though most students do not. Skidmore's academic requirements are fairly easy to fulfill. I think the education at Skidmore is geared towards getting a job and learning for its own sake depending on the major. The natural sciences and Business departments are more geared towards finding future employment compared to other departments. My biggest problem with Skidmore academically is how frequently professors go on sabbatical. There is never a year when any department has its full faculty around. I was considering being a History major until I realized that two of the best professors in the department are going on sabbatical my entire junior year.

Small Class Sizes. Apart from the intro-level courses, which are usually only about 20 students, you'll be in classes that are anywhere from 9-15 students. Professors will get to know you, and your work. Professors are very personable, and its not uncommon to be on a first-name basis with one of your professors. yeah, some are better than others, but for the most part the faculty is top-knotch.

professors know my name, my favorite classes are my government classes that are generally 15-20 students large- we have heated discussions and debates - the classes are writing intensive but SO worth it - students are competitive but generally always willing to help another out - the government department is the most challenging but BEST department on campus

Skidmore's academics are very touchy feely. small classes with lots of discussion. very interesting classes. profs are pretty awesome for the most part. nobody competes and people are happy with their Bs and Cs. no discussions outside of class. the requirements kinda suck.

I have not yet had a professor who doesn't know me by name, nor a class over 35 students. There are a few big lectures-- introductory sciences, but they're never more than 100 and all break down into lab groups of under 20. I really like almost every class I've taken (except intro to psych, but that was a professor thing), especially my freshman seminar, Hollywood's Portrayal of Science, and my Anthropology class. It's not uncommon to hear heated intellectual discussions that then turn to music and popular youtube videos, then back to academia within a few minutes. The classes are definitely challenging, especially once you leave the 101 levels, but there's very little busywork-- everything is useful. The school's slogan/motto is 'creative thought matters,' and the professors really take that to heart.

Skidmore has been an academically amazing place. Most of my classes have had no more than 35 kids, and in every class my professor has known my name and has actively kept tabs on his or her students. At Skidmore, there are core requirements to take, but because of this, you get to take classes that you normally wouldn't take, which is wonderful! It was a great way to figure out what you are interested in. Students take their studies pretty seriously, and the Professors expect that. Students are passionate about their studies as well; you can hear students discussing courses even outside of class. In terms of class participation, it is encouraged, but plenty of kids like to sit back and observe. I think professors understand this, and while they do take participation into consideration, it is never forced. As an English major and a Religion minor, I have had opportunities to take interdisciplinary courses such as Religion and Ecology, and Women in Literature, as well as more common classes such as Shakespeare, or Religion and Culture. However, I've taken classes in Oceanography, sociology, psychology, Art History, and Music. In each class, the professors have been engaging and invested in their subject and their students. Overall, Skidmore is academically challenging yet nurturing. Professors are available outside of class for help and often just to talk and check in. They truly care about the students and the welfare of the college.

Classes at Skidmore add to the unique college experience. They are small with very caring professors. Students study a lot out of the class room, there is no such thing as an 'easy' major here. Class discussions are assumed to occur in every class. I am an exercise science major and love the fully equipped labs and all of the hands on experience that I am getting as an undergraduate. Professor really do want you to come to their office hours and almost never kick you out. Skidmore's all college requirements are comprehensive and challenging but not hard to fulfill. It makes everyone appreciate each other's field of interest and have some general knowledge on the subject. The education is geared towards later employment, but only with things you love. Career Services is very helpful and very good at helping with this.

--professors definitly know who you are --they often take attendance, it counts --there is definitly intellectual conversation and debates outside of the classrooms, --i took a class on studying female primate strategies, study why humans orgasm, grandmother, and cheat on their mates --the education is geared towards bettering yourself and allowing you to pursue a variety of careers after school, this is not a technical school

Class sizes are great. They're all really small. I've loved most of my professors, and they all know my name. Class participation is very common and it is encouraged. I have been challenged intellectually with several discussion based classes. The requirements aren't too bad and are pretty easy to fulfill. I am a sociology and theater double major. A lot of people double major in things that are completely unrelated, like theater and business.

Every professor knows my name, and I am always surprised by that. They remember me even after I've taken the course. Different professors have different teaching styles, but it is always a combination of lecture and discussion. Some lecture more, some let you talk more. It depends on the class and the level (intro vs 300-level for example). I have really loved most of my professors. Students are not openly competitive, and there is more of a focus on "you" growing as an individual--not seeing who got the highest mark on an exam. Grades are not the be-all-and-end-all for students, and that's great. People are incredibly smart and intellectual, but it's more of a well-rounded intelligence than a "study-all-the-time" and "get-the-best-grades" competitiveness. It is definitely learning for its own sake. Of course, we have to be practical and remember that getting a job is necessary at some point. But the focus is on making us better individuals and in a "creative way." The motto says "Creative Thought Matters" and Skidmore really upholds that. Students are celebrated for being unique and having strange combinations of interests. You are not cookie-cutter, and no one else around you is.

Classes are small here, and it's easy to get to know your professors. Class participation is generally required, since the professor will know if you're missing (average class size is 15 students). Students are not competitive. Everyone is pretty chill about grades. There are definitely intelligent conversations outside of class, depending on who you talk to. I spend time with my professors out of class. Some cook their students dinner, others go out to lunch with students to discuss grades, or advise them on their academics. Professors are very friendly. Education at Skidmore is geared towards learning for its own sake. You will get a very liberal arts education here.

I absolutely love my professors and classes. Some duds of course, but for the most part Skidmore professors are incredibly intelligent and willing to get to know you and develop indepedent studies, summer research, theses, if you take the time to ask.

Professors at Skidmore are very helpful and intimate.

Excellent. 101 classes don't always have senior staff but they always have well qualified professors.

Professors are for the most part very dedicated. When I read all the college books, they all said stuff like: "The professors will invite you to dinner at their houses ALL THE TIME! They LOVE to extend their homes to you!!!" but really, this is not the case. Granted, I'm not a senior who has developed relationships with the professors/has decided a major and has a faculty advisor who they are close with, but I have only been with a professor outside of class once. Students are quietly competitive. No one makes a big deal about grades and stuff, but most everyone is concerned.

The professors I have had so far have been great, they really care about your education and give you personal attention.

All my professors know my name and do try to get to know you a little bit. My roommate, however, has one professor who has no idea who she is and calls her a different name every day. I love my Italian 101 course and Intro to Literary Studies classes. The professors are nice and I have fun while learning. My least favorite by far is my EN 105 class, A Question of Faith. It is the single biggest waste of my time ever. Never have I felt such an animosty for a class ever before. If I could do one thing for the class of 2012 it would be to make sure no one takes that class next semester. Clas participation is a must. We do have intellectual conversations outside of class and people often try to help each other. Students aren't overtly competitive. We all want to do well but no one is ridiculous about it. I'm an English major and have been in contact with 3 members of the department, 2 of whom are awesome people. The third is my EN105 professor. He is a brilliant man, but a bad teacher. No one likes him very much. Skidmore's academic requirements are rigorous, particularly for your major. Within the English major the amount of courses I will be required to take and the different types of them, I will have be taking a ton of classes for the rest of my college career. Skidmore is also very invested in it's study abroad program.

Professors are amazing here! They want to get to know you, and honestly care about you as a person and a student. They go out of there way to make time to meet with you about papers, or even life. Class participation is required in many classes, although some of the 100 level lectures don't have as much- these tend to be the largest classes also. But while the professors are great, many of the students don't care about academics beyond getting a good grade. Not many students talk about academics outside of the classroom, unless its to complain about a grade or hard test.

We study at night on weeknights, and then (once the hangover is gone) on Sat & Sun evenings Students are more likely to help each other out than to compete for grades Classes are focused towards seminar/discussion, not lecture, which is great. Professors really make a point to know your name and to get to know you, and you do see them around campus and have conversations about topics both related and unrelated to class, which is great. Skidmore is about learning as much as possible about whatever interests you the most, along with guidance in terms of finding a career that caters to your passion (as opposed to catering your passion to a job)

All professors know you're name, even if you are in a huge lecture hall if you approach professors they will learn your name. Students study a lot here, they have to. class participation is very common, a lot of classes are discussion based. There isn't a lot of competition between groups most everyone is working to do their best. The psychology program at Skidmore is very strong. The professors are very knowledgeable and willing to help if you have any questions. It is a relatively easy major (there aren't a ton of requirements) but that makes it easy to minor in other things, or double major, which is very common in the department. Students spend time with professors outside of class all the time, if one of my professors doors is open as i'm walking by I almost always stop for a quick conversation. Skidmore is a great place academically. I feel challenged and as though I'm learning a ton but also will definitely get into the grad school of my choice, or a job which is rewarding.

I have been spoiled. Surely professors everywhere know you by name, actively pursue an interesting conversation for hours, even invite you over for dinner and tea. I've made fantastic connections here at Skidmore, I swing by and visit professor's offices more on the terms of equals than as a student. Hell, I've developed independent studies in an afternoon where a professor and I found we shared a love of French Film.

Academics are tough at Skidmore.From what I know everyone aims high to get good grades!...I know I try!

skidmore eduaction in the business department i fell is geared toward working at the next level post college graduation. classes are competitive, students are competitive, and teachers really challenge their students to the point where class discussion carries outside the classroom. most unique class ive taken would have to be a latin american history class.

All the professors I've ever had know my name.

Professors at Skidmore are almost always willing to help you with anything you need. All you have to do is ask. Academic resources are always in abundance so long as the student takes the initiative.

What sold me on Skidmore was my visit. The kid who showed me around told me that Skidmore was the type of place where your professors wanted to see you grow, and it's so true. All my classes have been less than 30 people, and once you get in to the 300 levels for literature there are usually about 15-17 students, which makes for a really great time. Grades are important, but to the individual--it is not a competitive place academically and that is one thine I particularly love: coincidentally almost all my friends are English majors and we often discuss the classes we are in (together or not) or the works we are reading but these conversations are important because we are actually listening to one another, not trying to prove something. Skidmore feels safe--which when you leave the "bubble" can be hard to swallow: not every administrator or teacher you encounter is going to care about you the way the Skidmore community does.